WOW Players - Have Villa Ever Signed One?

Interesting debate going on in the forum (Click Here) and as it is all quiet on the news front at the moment, I thought I would open it up for the front page:

Been arguing / debating with Fieldy by email ...

Have Villa ever bought a 'wow' signing?

I would say Collymore was the closest? (It didn't work out, baggage that followed spoilt it, but many were very excited at his potential and his reputation, it wasn't a cheap signing and should have been perfect)

Deano ended up a great signing, not sure it was a 'wow' at the time.

Merse the same, great signing but didn't wow us when announced? Ginola was 3 or 4 seasons too late as was Kevin Phillips.

So, not sure we have ever really had a history of 'wow' but many have become heroes.

Still say it is time and we could attract a wow or two... not the top top ones due to no CL and even then, maybe not because of wages but can't see why we can't get the top second tier, Forlan's etc of the world?

Any that would 'realistically' wow you?!

(And this isn't a manager debate, it is arguable as to whether that is MON's way, so lets let up on that eh?!)

Your Comments (oldest first)

If we had signed Schmeichel when he was at his peak that would have been a real wow. In fact, when you add up players like him, Ronny Johnsen, Cyrille Regis, the aforementioned Ginola/Phillips, we could probably put a great XI together of players we signed too late! But I digress... Um, I was amazed we signed Paul McGrath, even at aged 7 (me not him) and he ended up even better than I could have hoped. I have been quite excited - and pretty pessimistic! - about loads of signings. But a real WOW player... probably not, unfortunately. I don't suppose most clubs have though. Depends how high you set your sights really.

The main problem in attracting 'wow' players to Villa Park is the location. Not many top players are going to leave or turn down Barcelona, Madrid, or London for the Brum. Many of us Villans wouldn't either. Lukas Podolski, looks a decent player, and he would be a good signing for the Villa. He plays for Stuttgart, I believe. Wouldn't have thought a city like that would be much different from Birmingham. Miroslav Klose looks good too (even at 32). It'd be great to seem him in the air, getting service from Ash and JM.

Collymore was surely a 'wow' signing. But our transfer dealings show that 'wow' signings aren't necessary. McGrath, Yorke and Bosnich were signed for peanuts, and each was genuinely world class. Older posters I'm sure could give their own examples.

To be fair, Milan Baros was the highest scorer in Europe when we bought him. I think that constitutes a 'wow' player. Unfortunately our set up didn't suit him, and he forgot where the goal was. And then he became so miserable and lazy that he wasn't interested. But in another season, a decent strike partner and a different manager, he could've been awesome.

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